A frustrating defensive era for East Carolina football came to an end Thursday when head coach Ruffin McNeill announced he was not renewing the contract of defensive coordinator Brian Mitchell.

That decision marked the end of a three-year ride for Mitchell and the ECU defense characterized by lots of promise, sprinkles of game-changing plays but overall a mass of yards and points allowed, even in the squad's second season after switching from a 4-3 scheme to a 3-4.

McNeill said on Thursday the search for Mitchell’s replacement already is under way, and he declined further comment on the situation until a new hire is made. The head coach was in Greenville on Thursday but was expected to leave early Friday for a recruiting visit.

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